Spain's Transport Minister has resigned to take responsibility after two train collisions this year, including the most recent last week, which caused 69 deaths.
On 3 Nov 2026, Oscar Puente, Spain's Minister of Transport, announced his resignation just six days after a high-speed train crash that killed at least 69 people and injured dozens more.
He made the announcement to parliament while explaining the situation and facts of the accident that occurred last week near the town of Urda, south of Madrid, the nation's capital.
"Spain's Transport Minister cannot continue in office after two such serious accidents within less than a year," Puente said, referring to another fatal train collision in Andalusia in southern Spain in January.
The recent tragedy in Urda happened when a high-speed train operated by the state-owned company Renfe rear-ended a stationary train from the company Iryo.
Puente announced his decision at the end of a parliamentary session on Tuesday evening, where he also outlined new emergency rail safety measures and faced intense questioning from the left and opposition. He said he made this decision immediately after the disaster on 28 October.
Previously, Puente faced heavy pressure as opposition parties and some government allies called for his resignation.
Meanwhile, leaked audio released shortly after the accident in Spanish media revealed conversations between train drivers and the control center minutes before the tragedy.
Recordings of three conversations between Madrid's control center and two train drivers showed that one high-speed train received permission to proceed despite another train being stationary about 25 kilometers ahead on the same track.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez confirmed that officials and relevant agencies will "investigate thoroughly every detail of this tragedy to its fullest extent."
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Source:bbc